Ben Affleck's Insightful Take on AI in Movies

A Hollywood Heartthrob with a Vision

Ben Affleck has always been more than just a Hollywood heartthrob. He's a smart guy with a knack for seeing the future. Remember when he and his best bud Matt Damon wrote "Good Will Hunting"? They were just struggling actors back then, but that script won them an Oscar. Ben was only 25, making him the youngest ever to win Best Original Screenplay. Pretty impressive, right?

AI and the Art of Filmmaking

Fast forward to 2024, and Ben's still proving he's got a sharp mind. He was recently asked about AI in movies. His response? AI won't be replacing actors or writers anytime soon. He compared AI to a craftsman who can imitate but lacks true artistry.

"AI can write you excellent imitative verse that sounds Elizabethan, it cannot write you Shakespeare."

He believes AI will mostly help with the boring, expensive parts of filmmaking, like visual effects. This could make movies cheaper to produce, letting more people tell their stories.

The Future of TV and AI

Ben also talked about how AI might change how we watch TV. Imagine asking for a custom episode of "Succession" where Kendall runs off with Stewy. AI could make that happen, but it won't be perfect. He thinks people are overreacting to AI, fearing it will take over everything. But history shows tech advances slowly. Plus, AI is expensive to improve. Most people just use it for chatting, not for real work.

Protecting Actors' Likenesses

He also touched on protecting actors' likenesses. Just because AI can draw a realistic picture of someone doesn't mean it's legal to use it. Laws already exist to prevent that. So, while AI might change some things, it won't replace human creativity in movies.